Coleman's

[CaroleW]

Emily

You say “found Bertha & John in a 1871 census”

The only John & Bertha Coleman in 1871 is in Sussex as per my reply # 12.

They are the family who emigrated to Australia 1887 as per Rosie’s reply #17 John Coleman married Bertha A JOHNSON in 1863 in Sussex as per www.freebmd.org.uk. 

You will note that in 1887 Bertha was 51 - somewhat old to be having a child

You need to re-visit your research as it appears some incorrect assumptions have been made re the circumstances of Lesters birth

You haven’t yet replied to my query as to whether you have Lesters birth cert.   If John Coleman is shown as his father - his address & occupation will be shown. 
If he & Bertha were married she would be shown as Bertha Coleman nee Balkwill on the cert

[Emily Syer]

No I don't have Lester's birth certificate I have his baptism records

Which states parents John coleman and Bertha coleman but nothing else no marriage records nothing

[Emily Syer]

How do I go about getting a certificate of birth without a registration number as I am in Australia and unsure how it works in England?

[rosie99]

Direct from the GRO using this link - you can get a PDF copy which is cheaper and does not have to come to Australia snail mail.  You need to register on the site

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/login.asp

Select 'Search the indexes'

This is the entry you need - You just select the button alongside it to order.  It then asks within the blue box Order this entry as a certificate or PDF

COLEMAN, LESTER  BENJAMIN     BALKWILL 
GRO Reference: 1887  J Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY  Volume 05B  Page 222
 

[carol8353]

Direct from the GRO using this link - you can get a PDF copy which is cheaper and does not have to come to Australia snail mail.  You need to register on the site

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/login.asp

Select 'Search the indexes'

This is the entry you need - You just select the button alongside it to order.  It then asks within the blue box Order this entry as a certificate or PDF

COLEMAN, LESTER  BENJAMIN     BALKWILL 
GRO Reference  1887  J Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY  Volume 05B  Page 222



And should cost you no more than £7 for a PDF 

Or £11 for a cert to come snail mail.